"Man, they made me sound like a freaking Hallmark movie. Was it really like that?" Dick asked as he placed the Gotham Times newspaper on the coffee table.
"Not really," Barbara said as she stroked Jack's cheek causing the babe to turn his head and try to suckle on her finger. "Reporters tend to make things bigger than they really are."
"Believe me, I know." Dick replied as he scooted closer to her. He slipped his arm underneath hers to stroke the sole of Jack's foot and watched as his toes curled.
They sat in silence for a moment, just watching Jack coo up at them, before Barbara spoke. "So, are you ready for school tomorrow?" she asked.
Dick groaned and laid his head on her shoulder. "No, can't we just skip?"
"You know you're going to have to do this sooner or later."
He sighed, "I know."
"You make it sound like the end of the world." She said turning toward him, forcing him to move his head.
"For me, it pretty much is."
"How so?" she asked. She gently sat Jack up on her lap, maneuvering him so he leaned back against her, making it seem like he wanted to know the same thing.
"Well, first, I'm a circus freak. Second, I'm a circus freak that was adopted by one of the richest men in the world and that fact alone seemed to piss off everyone who even relatively knew of him."
"Except for Alfred."
"Okay, except for Alfred." He agreed.
"And my dad."
"And your dad." Dick repeated with a roll of his eyes.
"And Lucius." Barbara continued with a smirk.
"Alright!" Dick cried as Barbara giggle, Jack bouncing in her lap. "This is serious."
"Okay, okay," Barbara said. She adjusted Jack and stared at Dick with an over the top serious expression with just a hint of a smirk.
Dick couldn't help but laugh. "Stop it!" He chuckled.
"What?"
"This is a serious moment, okay? I'm trying to wallow in self-pity here and you're not helping."
"Okay, I'm sorry, no more." She said still giggling. She quickly pressed her lips together in an attempt to hold back her laughter, but when Dick just looked at her with a raised eyebrow, she couldn't hold it.
"Alright fine," Dick said over her giggles. "You know what, give me my baby. You just lost holding privileges today." He reached over and plucked Jack from her lap.
"What? No!" Barbara cried reaching out for Jack but Dick turned his back to her, his nose held as snobbishly as he could. "Okay, I'm done. No more laughing." She promised taking a calming breath for show.
Dick turned his head to look at her skeptically before going back to Jack. "What do you think Jack, is she done laughing?" Jack smiled and reached out to touch his daddy's face. "Yeah, I didn't think so either." He said with an evil smirk.
"Come on Dick, please?" Barbara pleaded putting her hands together and stuck out her lip in a pouty face.
He stared at her for a moment before sighing in defeat and handing Jack back. Barbara gave him a huge smile and cuddled Jack close. Dick just smiled and rolled his eyes. "Alright, in all seriousness, why are you so worried about going to school?" She asked leaning back into the sofa cradling Jack in her arms.
"Honestly, I don't know." Dick sighed. "I guess I'm just worried about what's going to happen."
"Knowing what other people think has never stopped you before."
"I know, but that doesn't mean that their words don't hurt." He said staring down at his hands.
"I know, but hey," Barbara said placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm going to be right there with you."
Dick gave her a smile. "And just think," she continued holding Jack up next to her face. "You have this little cutie to come home to. So, what do you say, going to go to school with me tomorrow?"
Dick nodded and Barbara let out a cheer. "Ha, Jack and Mommy: one. Daddy: zero."
Dick froze, did she just say, "Mommy?"
Barbara stared at him in horror. "Oh Dick, I'm sorry-"
"No, no," Dick reassured cutting her off. "Honestly, It sounded…nice."
Barbara blushed and began to twist a lock of hair around her finger, a nervous habit she's had since they were little and one that he found quite cute. "Barbara," he called softly and she looked up through her lashes. Being this close to her, he could see a thin coat of mascara on them along with some light eye shadow. He didn't know when she started wearing make-up but it made her eyes brighter, or was that the lighting?
"Yes?" she replied just as softly as he did. Jack still sat on her lab attempting to put her cardigan in his mouth, completely oblivious of the two teens on either side of him.
The said teens where slowly getting closer, unaware of anything other than each other. They were so close now that Dick could feel her warm breath on his face. The scent of vanilla floated up to him and he suddenly found himself intoxicated by her sent and craved more of it. "I.." he started but found that in that moment, words didn't matter. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Just as their lips were about to touch the door behind them opened. Dick and Barbara shot back so fast that their speed would have put the Flash to shame. Alfred just stared at the two now red-faced teenagers with a raised eyebrow.
"I apologize for the intrusion, Master Dick but Miss Barbara's father has arrived." He said.
"It's alright Alfred, thanks." Dick replied still red.
Barbara handed a drooly Jack back to Dick, completely ignoring the wet spot on her clothes. "See you tomorrow," She said as she left the room. Dick caught Alfred's questioning glance and blushed again.
BREAKLINE
The next morning, Dick sat in the car, gazing out at the building that was the source of his grief yesterday. His stomach was tying itself into knots and the thought of facing that grief was making him sick. "Are you planning on getting out some time today sir?" Alfred asked gazing at him through the review mirror.
Dick's head snapped in the faithful butler's direction, seemingly to have forgotten that he was there. "Yeah, I just…"he trailed off.
"It will be alright, Master Dick." Alfred reassured. "Just remember that you have three people at home who love you."
Dick gave him a small smile. "And I'm sure Miss Barbara would agree." Alfred continued teasingly.
Dick blushed as he turned to the car seat next to him. Jack sat, swaddled in his blanket, buckled in, and fast asleep. Dick gazed at him with a soft smile for a moment. He then bent over and gave him a gently kiss on the forehead. Jack stirred but didn't wake. Dick bid a quick goodbye to Alfred and got out of the car. As Alfred pulled out of the pickup lane, Dick turned back to the dreaded building and had the feeling of wanting to throw up. He zeroed in on the students around him and they seemed to morph into imps and demons right before his eyes. His mouth felt dry and his hand began to shake. He really didn't want to be here. "Hey," said a voice beside him. He turned and saw Barbara. "I'm glad you came."
"I told you I would." He said with a shaky voice.
Barbara gave him a sympathetic look before pulling him into a hug. "It will be okay," she said into his ear. "I'll be right here with you."
He nodded as she pulled away, but held him at arm's length. She gave him a smile in which he returned. Together they took a deep breath, turned and marched into the school, ignoring the whispers that followed.
BREAKLINE
The day continued as normal, except for the whispers but that he was used to. Dick sat in fourth period, English Literature, and tried to focus on what the teacher was saying, but the boys behind him kept snickering. He had a feeling he knew what they were laughing at. If only Barbara was here. This was the only class that Barbara didn't have with him. Unfortunately, Monroe Cain was. He's the typical jock, captain of the football team and school bully. He had made it his life mission to make Dick's life a living hell.
Dick was doing his best to ignore their antics, but they continued to get more obnoxious. He felt something nudge his arm. He saw a folded up piece of paper get pushed onto his desk by the guy behind him, Monroe. Dick gave him a glare and placed the paper at the top of his desk. "Aren't you going to read it?" Monroe asked with a vicious smirk.
"Nope," Dick replied without taking his eyes off the board.
"Oh, come on Grayson," Monroe whined nudging him on the shoulder. "I drew it just for you."
Dick glared back at Monroe. He picked up the paper and Monroe's smirk turned into a grin. Dick grabbed it with both hands and tore it in half. He tore it again and again and with each tare, Monroe's smile faded. When it was nothing more than tiny, little pieces of confetti, Dick stood and walked to the trash can. He turned, stared Monroe in the eye, and dropped the makeshift confetti in the garbage. He then returned to his seat.
Monroe leaned forward. "That was rued Grayson." He said through clenched teeth.
"Mister Cain."
Monroe jumped and turned his attention to the teacher.
"Yes ma'am?"
"This is not a paired assignment. If you and Mister Grayson have something you need to discuss, then I suggest you do it after class."
"Don't worry Miss McCormick, we will." Monroe said sitting back in his chair and Dick's heart sank.
BREAKLINE
When the bell rang, Dick was the first one out the door. He wasn't planning to stick around to hear what Monroe wanted to 'discuss'. When he got to his locker and saw Barbara waiting for him, he let out a sigh of relief. "Hey, how did it go?" She asked anxiously.
"Great, except Monroe decided to take it upon himself to draw me a picture." Dick replied as he opened his locker and placed his books inside.
"Oh god, what was it?" She asked cringing.
"I don't know, I tore it up without looking."
"Good for you." Barbara said pleased.
"Yeah, but I have a feeling that he's not done."
Barbara sighed. "When is he ever? Ready for lunch?"
"Yep," Dick said as he slammed his locker closed.
BREAKLINE
The lunch room was filled as usual, so Dick and Barbara grabbed their trays and headed out to the lawn. They spotted their usual group by the fountain. As they drew near, Dick slowed as he listened to Bette and Artemis talk. "I bet you anything he paid her for it. It's the only way he would ever get anything." Bette said taking a drink form her water bottle.
"I know, he's nothing but a man whore." Artemis agreed.
"You know, I feel bad for the child, having to grow up in an environment like that. Someone should take him before his so called 'daddy' corrupts him."
Artemis hummed in agreement. When Bette froze, Artemis turned and saw Dick and Barbara standing there. Barbara stared at them in horror and disgust. Dick was gripping his tray so hard that his knuckles turned white. Artemis sneered, "Come to pay for our services?"
Dick's grip tightened and the tray cracked. He hit Artemis with such a glare that she gulped and leaned back, suddenly afraid. He opened his mouth to say something but instead just shook his head and turned around. He ignored Barbara's frantic calls as he dumped his uneaten lunch in the trash and headed back into the building, tears streaming down his cheeks.